King Ranch bluestem

Description

Cespitose grass with erect or decumbent-spreading culms 30-60cm tall, rounded sheaths and flate blades; inforescence a terminal panicle, spikelets on few to several spicate primary branches. Panicle axis shorter than the branches; sessile spikelets never pitted.

Ecological Threat: Very serious ecological threat due to widespread planting by ranchers and highway departments.

Biology & Spread: Primarily spread intentionally by man for cattle forage and as a component of roadside vegetation. Reproduces by seeds.

History: Widely planted for grazing and on roadsides.

U.S. Habitat: Disturbed mesic, upland soils.

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Europe, North Africa (Bailey, L.H. and E.Z. Bailey, Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada, MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York , (1977).); NatureServe Explorer

Invaders of Texas Observations

Resembles/Alternatives

Management

Timely mowing, burning and herbicide application all suppress this species.

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LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR
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